Tragic inquest details a teenager’s death linked to inhaling deodorant
The Dublin District Coroner’s Court heard harrowing evidence this week about the circumstances surrounding the death of Sarah Mescall, a 14-year-old from Cloongowna, Kilnamona, Co Clare. Sarah died nine days after an incident in which she inhaled the contents of an aerosol deodorant bought by her mother hours earlier. The inquest opened in Dublin amid renewed focus on the dangers of volatile substances and the risks attached to “huffing”-type behaviour among teenagers.
What happened on the day of the incident
According to evidence from Sarah’s mother, Deirdre Mescall, Sarah returned from school on September 20, 2023, and spent time at home with her sister. After dinner, Sarah reportedly spent time on her phone with plans to attend the National Ploughing Championships the following day. The mother described a sudden change in Sarah’s condition when she went to her room around 5:45pm and found her behaving as if she were intoxicated, later admitting she had inhaled the deodorant’s contents. Emergency services were called, and Sarah was transported by air to University Hospital Limerick before being moved to CHI at Temple Street in Dublin for specialist care.
Medical findings and the path to a verdict
Medical professionals determined that Sarah had suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain, alongside cardiac distress following the inhalation event. Dr. Suzanne Crowe, an emergency medicine consultant, noted that inhaling volatile substances can precipitate heart and brain injuries, which guided the decision to transfer Sarah to CHI Crumlin for advanced care. Despite initial signs of life, the brain injury was deemed irreversible, and Sarah ultimately died from hypoxic brain damage coupled with heart complications.
Context and risk factors
The pathologist who conducted the postmortem, Dr. Michael McDermott, highlighted a long-standing association between inhalation of deodorant contents and sudden, unexpected deaths. While authorities did not directly link Sarah’s death to an online challenge during the inquest, investigators had previously considered whether social media activity could have influenced such risky behaviour. The inquest did not attribute the death to online content, but underscored the broader danger researchers recognize in volatile substances among teenagers.
Family reflections and the verdict
Sarah’s mother described a normal afternoon disrupted by a life-saving effort that followed a frightening episode. The couple, aided by neighbours who are trained nurses, performed CPR while awaiting emergency services. The coroner noted the perceptible innocence of adolescence and acknowledged that teenagers may perceive risk differently from adults. The inquest returned a verdict of death by misadventure, reflecting that Sarah’s death occurred as an unintended consequence of a risky action, even if the exact motive or repeat behavior remained unclear.
Legacy and support
In her closing remarks, the coroner expressed condolences to Sarah’s family and commended their decision to donate her organs to help other children. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of inhaling household products and the importance of public health messaging about the dangers of volatile substances, particularly among adolescents.
Resources for those affected
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance experimentation or mental health concerns, confidential support is available. The Samaritans offer 24/7 support at 116 123 and jo@samaritans.org. The HSE and Irish Hospice Foundation provide a national Bereavement Support Line at 1800-80-70-77 and mental health resources at mentalhealthireland.ie/get-support/.